Unique serrated flow dependence of critical stress in a hot-rolled Fe–Mn–Al–C steel

We describe here an intriguing and unique serrated flow behavior in a hot-rolled Fe–11Mn–4Al–0.2C transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steel, subjected to an optimized quenching and tempering (Q&T) treatment. The optimized Q&T treatment produced a ferrite–austenite microstructure that was characterized by serrated flow during tensile straining. The serrated behavior is attributed to a discontinuous TRIP effect involving stress relaxation and transfer during deformation with consequent enhancement in ductility.